Posts Tagged ‘ojt interview advice’

Interview Advice For OJTs: The Need-To-Know Stuff

Whether you’re applying as an OJT for a graphic designer or an assistant of some sort, what’s important is the way you present yourself and act during your interview. Yes, looking for an OJT isn’t as easy as it seems. Just like regular employment, there are a few guidelines you should follow. The reason is because, in spite of the fact that this is only a practicum job, your performance can affect your life; how people perceive you and of course, the way you look at yourself. So, before jumping into the whole interview experience, here are some tips you can use before and during your interview.

The Interview Preparations: An Essential Point for Applying OJTs

First of all, your relationship with your future employer has begun the minute you send your resume. So, as soon as you receive a message saying that you’re eligible for interview, you’re already being monitored. In order to get head start on the whole process, you should do some research on your future company. Being in the know is always the safest thing to do during the preparation stages. At times, there are some companies who ask you what you know about their company.

Next, appearance matters. As they say, first impressions last. Dress appropriately! This may seem cliche-sounding but having a pleasing appearance will make your employers feel that you’re interested in working for them. For girls: it’s sometimes a good idea to wear make-up; not too much but just enough to add some color to your face. In addition, before leaving the home, always have something in your stomach. There are actually some people who mistakenly leave their homes without doing so. In turn, they have difficulty focusing on their interview because theyâ€™re distracted.

No matter what schedule you’re given whether it’s early in the morning or late in the afternoon always be minutes early. Not many applicants know but some employers take note of tardiness during interviews. This automatically gives the applicant a bad impression. Always be on time or earlier to show your employers that you’re serious and dedicated to getting the job that you applied for. Upon arriving there, greet them with a smile and never forget to say “thank you” or “excuse me.”

The Interview Itself: Market Yourself

Remember, interviews are ways of marketing yourself but talking too much might also affect your chances of working in that company. Confidence is always the key but it’s unavoidable to get mental block or occasional stutters. With that, don’t panic. If you forget what you intend to say, just breathe to regain your composure. You can even tell your interviewer, “I’m sorry, ma’am/sir, but can you repeat the question” or “Let me think about that” with politeness.

With that, here are some tricky questions that students tend to do badly on:

What are your strengths? Easy! You don’t have to recite your whole resume though. If you have researched on the company and its goals, then you should give the skills that you think can contribute to the objectives of the company.

What are your weaknesses? Although employers ask about this, they don’t want to hear something that will make them lose interest in you. Always answer something that can be easily remedied or something which can be perceived as a positive thing. For example, being too bossy is considered by some as something negative but to employers, it’s a plus because it means that you get the job done.

What is the most challenging experience you faced? This doesn’t mean family problems or love tragedies. Employers usually drop this bomb in order to see how you face an ordeal. At times, the best way to answer this is to relate an experience you had difficulty in with regards to school work or extra-curricular activities. Then, tell them how you handled it.

Why should we hire you? This is the trickiest one of them all. It can come in different forms and can break applicants’ zone. Well, no worries. There’s a way to counteract this terror. When you are asked this, you should give them a reason to hire you. Market yourself and your skills. Tell them that you’re eager to learn.

As an additional reminder: Always remember that aside from confidence, you should always be sincere. Don’t lie about your skills just to get hired. Be honest about your skills and capabilities because if they see that you’re willing to learn, then that’s an added plus right there!